Kylie Minogue Hits the Big Screen in 'Holy Motors'

With sudden musical numbers, a kidnapped Eva Mendes, and talking limousines, following the plot of Holy Motors is definitely a surreal, genre-bending film. Headed by French director Leos Carax, the movie follows the mysterious Oscar (played by Denis Lavant) as he spends his day being driven around Paris, stopping only for "appointments," while performing as entirely different characters, including a hunchback homeless woman, a disappointed father, and a ruthless hit man. In spite of its fantastical aspects, the film takes a poignant turn when Oscar reunites with a past love played by Kylie Minogue. With a pixie cut and perfect French accent, Minogue steals the show as she and Oscar share a few moments in an abandoned building. ELLE.com caught up with Minogue to talk about returning to acting and what it was like to face the flashbulbs at Cannes.

More From ELLE

ELLE: What was it like for you the first time you watched the film?

Kylie Minogue: I was just like, "Oh my God, I can't believe it." I only [knew] what my scene looked like. I was just aware of everyone in the audience going, "What are we seeing?" I was amazed after that how much of the imagery was just burned into my brain. There's definitely a select few [scenes] that are just there straight away. It's an experience, that's what I should say. "It's an experience."

ELLE: How was the Cannes International Film Festival for you?

KM: It was one of the most extraordinary experiences I've had, and I've had quite a few. For start, going down the red carpet with a team was just amazing. I only realized then that normally I'm a lone soldier, so it was great to be part of a team. The excitement was off the scale. They love [the director] Leos [Carax] and the expectation of this film was very high. [After the film] the credits were running and there was a slow applause, and all those thoughts started to come through. I thought, "Is this it?" As the credits finished, [the applause] grew and grew until everyone stood up. The standing ovation went for six or seven minutes. It was crazy.

ELLE: What did Leos say that made you want to join the project?

KM: We didn't speak too much about the character when we met. We met for lunch, and I think that was more a case of sussing each other out. I was intrigued. I never questioned my decision; it just felt right. It came from nowhere, [but] it was something I had wished for a long time.

ELLE: How was it been to switch from live performances to film-making?

KM:I loved it. It was a really great change for me. What I normally do with recording, performing, and touring is my name. It's all on my shoulders. If it's a great show, I'm great. If it's not a great show, I'm not great. It was good to be part of a team and to have a leader. If Leos had said, "You have to jump off the building," I probably would have, because I wanted to give him everything.

ELLE: Does doing a film like this change the types of roles you look for?

KM: It broadens them, definitely. If I came across a role that is completely mainstream [and] commercial, but it's the right one, I'd jump at the chance. But I did very much enjoy being part of an independent film. It was just the energy. It just hit all the boxes: I am a Francophile, and I love to film in Paris. But normally my problem is that I'm too inquisitive and want to do everything, [so] we'll see what happens.

ELLE: You started out acting, what is it like to come back to acting now after having so much success in music?

KM: It's like going home, because I started out in TV. In a way it's what I did when I was eleven years old. I love sets. I love being a part of that machinery. But at the same time, doing something like this felt like something new.